Sick neonates often require periodic small volume transfusion (10mg/kg) to replace blood draw for laboratory monitoring during their hospital stay. The effect of packed red cel transfudion on the hematocrit, potassium, ionized calcium, acid base status, glucose and indirect bilirubin was investigated in 25 transfusions. Analysis of transfused blood by the age of the red cells, older red cells (more than 5 days old, 13+/-7 days) showed increased potassium (27.2+/-14.1mEq/L vs 11.3+/-4.9mEq/L), decreased bicarbonate (14.4+/-2.6mEq/L) and glucose (130+/-28mg/dl vs 203+/-93mg/dl) compared with newer red cells (less than 5 days)(p<0.05). No significant changes occured in hematocrit and pH. Inspite of these results, the transfusion of the older red cells did not affect the older red cells did not affect the serum potassium, ionized calcium, pH, bicarbonate, glucose and indirect bilirubin level in neonates. The hematocrit of infants increated significantly after transfusion from 29.6%+/-4.3% to 38.3%+/-6.1%(mean+/-SD)(P<0.05). Transfusion of older red cells seemed to be as equally effective as newer ones. The valus of hematocrit obtained immediately after transfusion does not show any differences compared to those obtained 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours after transfusion. The result in the study indicate that there was no adverse effect after transfusion with packed red cell more than 5 days old and no significant difference in hematocrit observed between 0 to 24 hours following transfusion. Therfore old red cell more than 5 days can be used safely for sick neonatal transfusion and the stored donor blood can be optimzed for repeated blood transfusion.
Bilirubin ; Blood Transfusion ; Calcium ; Glucose ; Hematocrit* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Length of Stay ; Potassium ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.

Synovial sarcoma is a distinct and generally recognized soft tissue tumor that it’s origin still raises controversy. The synovial origin of synovial sarcoma has not been determined despite the accepted terminology implying synovium as stem cell. Three cases of primary synovial sarcoma (2 fibrous monophasic, 1 biphasic type) were studied with a panel of antibodies against different types of cytokeratin and other markers (EMA, CEA, vimentin, S-100 protein, lysozyme, 1-antichymotrypsin). Spindle shaped-cell in monophasic synovial sarcoma showed reactivity for CK7 and pancytokeratin. Epithelial cells lining of glands in biphasic synovial sarcoma reactive for CK7, pancytokeratin, EMA, and focally CEA but spindle cells only positive for vimentin. By electron microscopy, fibrous monophasic synovial sarcoma showed pseudogland formation with intercellular junctions of paired subplasmalemmal destiny and discontinuous basal lamina. These results indicate that synovial sarcoma showes epithelial differentiation. We believe that synovial sarcoma arises in pluripotential connective tissue cells that is able to be differentiated into both mesenchymal and epithelial components. So, synovial sarcoma have been considered carcinosarcoma of soft tissues depending on the type of differentiation.
Antibodies ; Basement Membrane ; Carcinosarcoma ; Connective Tissue Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Junctions ; Keratins ; Microscopy, Electron ; Muramidase ; S100 Proteins ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; Stem Cells ; Synovial Membrane ; Vimentin

BACKGROUND: High glucose upregulates MCP-1 expression in rat glomerular mesangial cells and in human peritoneal mesothelial cells. However, the role of high glucose-induced MCP-1 on the development and progression of diabetic renal injury and peritoneal injury during peritoneal dialysis(PD) using high glucose PD solutions are not clear. Since MCP-1 was shown to upregulate transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1) and collagen expression in lung fibroblasts, the present study investigated the effects of MCP-1 on fibronectin secretion by mouse mesangial cells(MMC), human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC), and human peritoneal fibroblasts(HPFB). METHODS: Synchronized cells were stimulated by different concentrations of MCP-1(0.1-100 ng/mL) or TGF-beta1(0.1-10 ng/mL) for 48 hours. Fibronectin protein secreted into the media was analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: MCP-1 up to 100 ng/mL did not affect fibronectin secretion by MMC. TGF-beta1 10 ng/mL, however, increased fibronectin secretion by MMC 2.8 fold that of control. MCP-1 up to 100 ng/mL did not affect fibronectin secretion by HPMC. But, TGF-beta1 0.1 ng/mL increased fibronectin secretion by HPMC 1.8 fold compared to control. On the other hand, MCP-1 increased fibronectin secretion by HPFB in a dose-dependent manner. MCP-1 at 1-10 ng/mL significantly increased fibronectin when compared to M199 control. 100 ng/mL MCP-1 further increased fibronectin secretion by HPFB compared to 0.1-10 ng/mL MCP-1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a possible role for MCP-1 in the development and progression of peritoneal fibrosis and support the view that in addition to recruiting inflammatory cells MCP-1 may play a role in tissue fibrosis in other organs.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Chemokine CCL2* ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibronectins* ; Fibrosis ; Glucose ; Hand ; Humans* ; Lung ; Mesangial Cells ; Mice ; Monocytes* ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that various inflammatory and immune reactions are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. We tried to investigate whether the TNF receptor superfamilies are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirteen carotid atheroma specimens(frozen sections : 10 cases, paraffin section : 5 cases) were obtained from the patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy at Samsung Medical Center and one normal aortic tissue was obtained from a transplantation donor in brain death. In the carotid endarterectomy specimens and a normal aortic tissue , the expressions of R110(TR1), 139(TR2) and DR3(TR3), members of the TNF receptor superfamilies were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies. Simultaneously, we evaluated the expressions of foam cells, smooth muscle cells, T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis identified a strong expressions of foam cells and smooth muscle cells in all atheroma. But, the expression of T-lymphocytes was minimal and that of B-lymphocytes was rare. The expression of DR3(TR3) was seen in all atheroma as strongly positive. The expression of 139(TR2) was observed well in frozen sections, but not in paraffin sections. Whereas, that of R110(TR1) was observed in paraffin sections as weakly positive, but not in frozen section. The areas where the TNF receptor superfamilies were expressed correlated to the area of foam cell presence. The expression of DR3 also correlated with expression of smooth muscle cells. In normal aortic tissue, the expression of inflammatory cells or TNF receptor superfamilies was not observed except smooth muscle cells which were observed in normal artery. CONCLUSION: Foam cells and smooth muscle cells were abundantly present in atheroma. The TNF receptor superfamilies are expressed in the atheroma and the region of expression was coincident with the presence of foam cells.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; B-Lymphocytes ; Brain Death ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Foam Cells ; Frozen Sections ; Humans ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Paraffin ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic* ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tissue Donors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

Background: Stress as a cause of mental health problems is known to be more prevalent in women than in men and has a negative effect on several aspects of physical health, such as the composition of blood and saliva. This study investigated the relationship of perceived stress with blood cell counts, saliva flow rate, and saliva factors. Methods: We recruited women in their 20s with a high prevalence of stress. Stress was evaluated using the Korean version of the perceived stress scale. Blood tests included white blood cell, hemoglobin, and platelet. We then examined the saliva flow rate and cariogenic bacteria level, acidity, occult blood, buffer capacity, leukocyte level, protein level, and ammonia level using rinse water with the SILL-HaⓇ saliva test system. Results: In a total of 70 participants, the average age was 21.64 years old, the average perceived stress score was 16.96±4.32, and high levels of stress were reported by 80% of the participants (n=56). The high-stress group had lower hemoglobin levels. In addition, the high-stress group showed a lower saliva flow rate than the low-stress group, and there was a difference in the salivary acidity and buffer capacity. The total perceived stress score showed a positive correlation with acidity and negative correlation with buffer capacity and the hemoglobin level. Conclusion This study found that stress in female college students might affect the composition of blood and saliva. High levels of stress were positively correlated with the hemoglobin level, saliva flow rate, and acidity and negatively correlated with the buffer capacity.

We reviewed the medical records of 23 boys with surgically and pathologically proved monorchism. A striking laterality to the left side was identified. In 75 per cent of patients wolffian structures were present. These findings strongly suggest that in most instances of monorchism a testis had been present and had undergone subsequent in utero degeneration. Despite of various diagnostic technique for searching testes, we believe that surgical exploration continues to be the most reliable and more direct approach to the diagnosis and treatment of monorchism.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Strikes, Employee ; Testis*

PURPOSE: The role of MRI in the detection of cholangiocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct has rarely been described. This study was attempted to ascertain characteristic MR features of cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The T1(500/30, TRs/TEs) and T2 weighted(200/80, TRs/TEs) MR images were obtained from nine patients with cholangiocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic lesions were detected in seven cases. MR features of cholangiocarcinoma were analysed according to the signal intensity and associated findings. RESULTS: The seven cases showed lower signal intensity than the surrounding normal liver parenchyma on T1 weighted image. On T2 weighted image, the tumor showed isosignal intensity and hyperintensity in four and three patients, respectively. T2 image also revealed diffusely increased signal intensity in some hepatic lobe or segment in four cases, and Intrahepatic periductal high signal intensity in one case. Other associated MR findings were intrahepatic metastasis, and intratumoral hemorrhage, each noted in a different case. CONCLUSION: T2 weighted Image appears to be effective in the detection of cholangiocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct and evaluation of its associated intrahepatic lesions.
Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatic Duct, Common* ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis

No abstract available.

Both Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) are important genital mycoplasmas which are found in the cervix, vagina and the urogenital tracts of females. It has been associated with various disease states including non-gonococcal urethritis, spontaneous abortion, low birth weight and chorioamnionitis. Moreover they can be transmitted up to 40% of infants born to infected mothers. The culture methods which is commonly used for the determination of above mycoplasmas requires special culture media and can take up to 7 days. Recently the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been successfully applied for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, M. hominis and U. urealyticum were determined using PCR in 70 vaginal swabs and 48 urine samples. In a total of seventy vaginal swabs, thirteen (18.5%) and twenty four (34.3%) samples were positive for M. hominis and U. urealyticum, respectively. In forty eight urine samples, M. hominis and U. urealyticum were found in 3 cases (6.3%), respectively. Among vaginal swab and urine samples, one case was found to be coinfectious state. Amplified DNA bands were more frequently found in vaginal swabs than urine samples. This study shows that PCR is a relatively simple, fast and practical tool for the detection of M. hominis and U. urealyticum in a clinical materials instead of culture method.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Cervix Uteri ; Chorioamnionitis ; Culture Media ; DNA ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma hominis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Pregnancy ; Ureaplasma urealyticum ; Urethritis ; Vagina